Afghanistan revealed an 18-member squad for their two-Test series against Zimbabwe, scheduled to begin on Boxing Day in Bulawayo.
Star leg-spinner Rashid Khan makes his return to the red-ball format after a two-year absence due to a prolonged groin injury. He last played a Test in 2021, also against Zimbabwe.
The squad, led by Hashmatullah Shahidi, includes seven uncapped players.
Among the fresh faces are left-arm seamer Bashir Ahmad and allrounder Ismat Alam, who earned their places through stellar performances in domestic cricket.
The squad also features Azmatullah Omarzai, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Riaz Hassan, and Sediqullah Atal, who were previously selected for a rain-affected Test against New Zealand earlier this year.
Afghanistan's interim chief selector Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil emphasizes a balanced approach to experience and emerging talent in the Test squad.
"Rashid Khan returns to the Test squad, which is a promising sign for our red-ball game going forward," Ahmad Shah Sulimankhil, ACB's interim chief selector, said in a statement.
"The rest of the team underwent good preparations recently in Nangarhar province, which featured 19 players and all the support staff to work with the players and ensure full preparation for the series.
"We have thoroughly monitored the proceedings and have picked the squad which includes several new faces, including Ismat Alam, Bashir Ahmad, and Zahir Shehzad, who have performed well during the recent Ahmad Shah Abdali first-class tournament."
Hamid Hassan will serve as interim head coach for the series, with Jonathan Trott unavailable due to personal reasons.
Afghanistan recently secured a 2-1 victory in a T20I series against Zimbabwe, bouncing back after losing the opener.
Afghanistan Squad:
Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rahmat Shah (VC), Ikram Alikhail (WK), Afsar Zazai (WK), Riaz Hassan, Sediqullah Atal, Abdul Malik, Baheer Shah Mahboob, Ismat Alam, Azmatullah Omarzai, Zahir Khan, Zia Ur Rehman Akbar, Zahir Shehzad, Rashid Khan, Yamin Ahmadzai, Bashir Ahmad Afghan, Naveed Zadran, Fareed Ahmad Malik.
Afghanistan-Zimbabwe Test Series 2024-25:
